Algiers, unlike Tunis where the Imperial Guard has centralized power, is home to three political forces: the natives, the navy, and the Imperial Guard. They all seek the support of the Ottoman Empire, so they are quite attentive to the Sultan’s stance.
Said continued, “Once Tunis’ order is restored, I believe the great Sultan will surely consider granting the British the monopoly on trade there.”
The British consul’s eyes lit up immediately, “In fact, I’m very interested in your proposal.”
Said rotated his wrist in an arc, his face showing difficulty, “It’s just that, I’m afraid this uprising suppression might still require some funds…”
Stuart immediately said:
“I can offer some assistance in this regard. 300,000 British Pounds, enough to finish this war.”
Said was overjoyed and bowed slightly, “I believe our two countries can become the guardians of order in Tunisia.”
The two then detailed their collusion and afterward proceeded together to the residence of the Dey of Algiers.
Three days later, the “Divan” of Algiers, which is the Congress, held a plenary session.
The Algiers Guard was very sympathetic to the plight of their “compatriots” in Tunis who suffered in the native uprising, so they immediately clamored to send troops to Tunisia to crush the rebellion and save the Imperial Guard.
In fact, ever since Hussein led the Imperial Guard to take control of Tunisia, they have actively participated in every political change in Tunisia, enjoying tremendous benefits from it.
The navy immediately expressed agreement.
Previously, after the Combined Fleet had sunk their ships and captured the sailors, they had been plotting revenge.
Now, with France obtaining ports in Tunisia, the threat to them had become much more severe, so they naturally wanted to attack Tunisia as soon as possible.
Only the native forces of Algiers were reluctant to get involved in this war.
However, they were already the weakest in the “Divan,” and after receiving guidance from the special emissary of the Ottoman Sultan, as well as the promise of several hundred thousand British Pounds for military support from England, they also fell silent.
Eventually, Dey Sukhray Ali Tuwus of Algiers, after obtaining command over the Albanian mercenaries and tacit approval from the British for pillaging Tunisia, declared that 11,000 troops from the Imperial Guard would be dispatched, along with 12,000 mercenaries, to suppress the uprising in Tunisia and restore the Imperial Guard’s rule there.
…
Paris.
Palace of Versailles, Petit Trianon Palace.
Queen Mary asked her maid anxiously, “Has Baron Weymorel set off?”
Countess Debreninac bowed and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. He left before dawn, and he should already be close to Provins by now.”
“Good, that’s good.”
The Queen caressed her chest, but her heart was still racing.
Last week, good news came from Tunisia, stating that the Crown Prince had ousted the Tunisian Guard hostile to France, and Tunisia had once again become a paradise for France.
Overjoyed, she had even agreed to her son’s request to land in Tunisia to see its unique scenery.
However, last night another warning arrived from Algiers, stating that the “Divan” of Algiers had decided to dispatch an army of 23,000 to intervene in the Tunisian situation.
Sick with worry about her precious son potentially being caught in the crossfire, she wrote a personal letter overnight and dispatched the commander of the Imperial Guard to rush to Tunisia and bring back the Crown Prince.
The door opened, and the Minister of War, the Navy Minister, and Chief Minister Brian entered in quick succession.
The Queen didn’t wait for the men to perform their bows but immediately said anxiously, “Have you heard about the situation in Tunisia? I need to ensure the Crown Prince’s safety now!”
As she spoke, she also murmured softly, “I should never have let him go there. Oh God, the place is full of savages…”
Marquis Saint Priest and the Navy Minister exchanged a glance, stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, if the troops in Tunisia immediately cover His Highness’s retreat, there should be no danger.
“However, most of the 6,000 men sent there are newly formed corps. In case, I mean just in case, they are slow to act and get blocked by Algiers’ forces in Tunisia, I fear…”
Queen Mary said anxiously, “What should be done? Oh, you must dispatch troops to Tunisia to support the Crown Prince immediately!”
“Your wish is my command,” Marquis Saint Priest bowed and then tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, what about the funding?”
“No matter the cost, let Archbishop Brienne allocate the funds to you. I want you to deploy the troops immediately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
…
Tunisia.
Joseph sat in a tent on the beach, eating freshly grilled seafood, while discussing the document in hand with Joan, “Do you know how many white slaves the natives of Tunisia have?”
“The exact figures have not been compiled yet, Your Highness. However, the wealth of Tunisia is concentrated in the hands of the Guard, and it’s rare for the Berbers and Arab descendants to afford white slaves. I estimate there are at most a few hundred,” Joan replied.
“That’s good,” Joseph nodded, “then have the Tunisian government pay to redeem them. As for the white slaves previously owned by the Guard, they will be granted freedom directly.”
According to earlier estimates, there were tens of thousands of white slaves in Tunisia, which meant Europeans who had been kidnapped by pirates. Most of these people were Christians who, after many years away from home, were unlikely to return to Europe, naturally becoming a strong immigrant backbone for France in Tunisia.
Joan promptly noted down on the last page of the “White Slave Survival Bill”, “This may cost hundreds of thousands of livres, Your Highness.”
“It doesn’t matter, it’s worth it,” Joseph then asked, “By the way, how is the preparation for the official examination going?”
“It is being systematically prepared. Mr. Xilada said that the examination could start at the beginning of next month at the latest.”
Joseph nodded. The bureaucratic system of the Tunisian Guard had been completely destroyed, and Tunisia needed a new regime.
Joseph saw this as an opportunity to test a model of bureaucratic examination and recruitment. It was somewhat akin to the civil service examination of later generations.
Of course, in addition to subjects like humanities, management, and science, there were nearly half the questions on general knowledge about France and content related to “Roman identity.”
The syllabus for the examination had been announced, and now it was time for “to strive for virtue and knowledge to serve.”
Once there was enough experience with the civil service exam here, it would become an important reference for his implementation of bureaucratic reform in France.
While Joseph and Joan were speaking, Isaac arrived in a hurry with a special agent from the Police Affairs Department.
Several soldiers of the Swiss Guard immediately intercepted them and began a thorough search.
Joseph waved to the Swiss men with a smile, “That’s unnecessary, let them through.”
Coming forward, Isaac bowed and said urgently, “Your Highness, this is Weili, who has just arrived from Algiers. He has brought intelligence that Daye Tuwus of Algiers has amassed an army of 23,000, preparing to invade Bizerte from Annaba.”
“Oh?!” Joseph abruptly stood up, frowning as he asked, “When did this happen?”
“About six days ago, Your Highness.”
Considering the communication speed of the era, for intelligence from Mitidja to arrive in Tunis City in less than a week was exceptionally efficient.
“Inform the senior officers of the Guard Corps and Murat’s Corps to immediately convene a war council. Oh, and have them bring along a few officers from the Tunisian Guard as well.”
As Joseph was about to leave, Isaac added, “Your Highness, speaking of the Tunisian Guard, the confessions obtained from the imprisoned Guard officers these past few days indicate that the British were the ones stirring them up to attack the French. The British also provided substantial funds as payment for the assault.”
Joseph narrowed his eyes slightly; he had long suspected that the agitators were to blame, and now it had been confirmed.
He instructed Isaac, “Write a detailed report on this matter and have it sent back to the Palace of Versailles.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Two hours later, in a villa not far from Ksar Hellal Palace, Bertier, Andre, and over a dozen other officers stood erect beside the wide conference table, taking off their hats to salute the Crown Prince with due respect.
Joseph returned the salute and then turned to look at the conference table, which was clearly newly made — Tunisians did not use such tables — and asked Eman, “Would you mind removing this table and replacing it with one that can accommodate a sand table?”